You might be surprised to know that teachers often feel just like kids about the first day of school. As a teacher for 12 years, that mix of nervous energy and genuine excitement is still familiar to me.
As a parent, you can start the school year feeling these things, too. However, you might find it easier to advocate for your child and feel more comfortable in general by engaging in positive communication with your child’s new teacher early on
These Webster middle schoolers are ready for the new school year. From left are siblings Lily, Aiden, and Sydney Lagoe and schoolmate Aria Olcott. PHOTO BY PAUL OLCOTT
Workin’ the website and email
There are a number of ways to find out what your child is going to learn during the year
First, look at the school’s website to find curriculum information. Be sure to look ahead at dates for school events, vacation days, and testing and mark your calendar now. Also, plan to attend the events specially planned to help you as a parent.
Email is a great way to ask for clarification on topics you have concerns about long before problems arise or worries bubble up. If you make an effort to understand the teacher’s expectations as well as the school’s policies, you will start off on the right foot.
Many schools and teachers put great effort into keeping their websites updated. Use these as a resource; don’t just go by what you see or hear from other parents.
How much homework help?
Homework is that time of day when schoolwork and home life become blurred. Try to find answers to these questions as soon as possible: How much assistance should I provide when my child is struggling with homework? May I send in incomplete work when my child does not understand what to do? If my child loses or forgets homework, shall we contact a classmate and have her parent send us a photo of the homework?
Remember, it is OK to tell teachers that you have a hard time helping your child with homework or that you really aren’t sure about the teacher’s grading system. It’s also OK to let us know that your child is having a meltdown that you have to deal with before you can spend quality time reading together at night.
Checking the backpacks
On the other hand, you’ll want to become familiar with certain academic requirements for your child’s grade level and find out how much time is expected to be spent on schoolwork at home.
There are usually a certain number of reading minutes per day, and math-fact practice is often reinforced after school hours. Teachers may have great resources and routines set up for their students, so just ask if you haven’t been informed.
But first, you might want to check your child’s folders and backpack for materials that were intended for you. And if your child resides at more than one home during the school year, please ask the teacher to provide more than one copy of all handouts going home in the backpack (so both Mom and Dad, or Grandma or another guardian, all have the same information at each household on any given day).
Policies and Volunteering
Not everything you’ll want to know is about academics though. It’s good to know food
Brighton teacher Paula Tantillo, left, talks with a parent before the school-year starts, to answer questions and learn more about one of her new students. PHOTO BY PAUL OLCOTT
policies for your child’s classroom, and how birthdays or holidays are acknowledged.
These days, healthy options are encouraged for many celebrations so be prepared to offer pretzels, fruit, or even fun erasers for the kids instead of candy or cookies.
At times parents are needed to supervise or volunteer during events or field trips, but as your child gets older, less of that support may be needed. Let the teacher know if you are interested in helping or becoming more involved. The school’s PTA also usually has a website that can assist with answers and advice.
Speaking Up
Lastly, remember that your job as a parent is definitely to advocate for your child. So speak up and share your observations with teachers. Sometimes hearing about how a student acts at home is extremely helpful. After all, we all want the best for the child you send to us every day.